Westwood residents welcome to ‘Deck the Hall’

Members of Westwood United Methodist Church’s chancel choir performed at the inaugural Deck the Hall celebration last year. The holiday event returns to Westwood Town Hall again this year, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 30.
(Photo:
Thanks to Nikki Mayhew
)

WESTWOOD – The community is invited to kick off the holiday season at Westwood Town Hall.

Westwood Works will present its second annual Deck the Hall celebration from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 30, at the town hall recreation center, 3017 Harrison Ave.

Nikki Mayhew, one of the event’s co-chairs, said an estimated 500 people attended the inaugural celebration last year.

“It was awesome,” she said. “It far exceeded our expectations.”

Organizers anticipate this year’s crowd to be larger and have added a new feature to the mix – a craft fair.

Mayhew said more than 20 local artists and crafters will have their works on display, giving folks in attendance a chance to do some holiday shopping.

Other festivities include a visit from Madcap Puppets, free photos with Santa, performances by seven area choral groups and a free craft area for children ages 3 to 12. The Cincinnati Recreation Commission, Gamble-Nippert YMCA and the Broadhope Art Collective are presenting the children’s craft area.

The vocal groups performing are from Westwood United Methodist Church, Westwood First Presbyterian Church, St. James Episcopal Church, Shepherd’s Heart Christian Fellowship, Oasis of Love Church, Mother of Mercy High School and the Cincinnati Children’s Choir.

Mayhew said free food samplings, cider and hot chocolate will be available. Guests will also be able to purchase food from a few food trucks that will be set up on site, she said.

The celebration culminates with caroling and the lighting of the tree in front of Westwood Town Hall. Cincinnati Mayor John Cranley has accepted the invitation to light the tree this year.

Deck the Hall co-chair Leslie Rich said the event brings together the community in a celebration filled with neighborhood pride and holiday cheer.

“It’s an opportunity to showcase all the great things happening in Westwood,” she said.

People are eager to gather in the heart of the neighborhood’s business district and be a part of the positive community-building taking place, Mayhew said.

“It’s great to come together as a community to celebrate the holidays,” she said. “We feel like this event is really starting to resonate in the community.”